Contact carrier



July 5 192?o 1,634,407 i-LA. DOUGLAS CONTACT CARRIER Filed Aug. 14. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1,634,407 Bully 1927' H. A. DOUGLAS CONTACT CARRIER Filed Aug. 14. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y K9 2 O 24 l9 Patented July 5, 1927.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS, OF BRONSON, MICHIGAN.

CONTACT CARRIER.

Application filed August 14, 1925.

My invention relates to contact carriers and has for its object the simplification of the construction thereoi and the provision of improved means for efiecting their assembly with enclosing or surrounding sockets or shells. Generally speaking, the carrier of my invention includes two end plates and a coupling uniting these end plates, the carrier having a formation adapting it for interlocking connection with the socket or shell that is to contain or surround the carrier.

in the preferred embodiment of the in ven'tio-n, l employ other plates for coupling the end plates, the end plates being formed with notches that receive the assembling plates and the assembling plates being formed with notches that receive the end plates. At least one, and preferably each, of these coupling plates is made of resilient material, such as spring sheet metal. At least one of these coupling plates, and preterably each oi these coupling plates, is desirably provided with a pin or projection for reception with an opening in the shell or socket, whereby this shell or socket and the contact carrier are assembled, the coupling plates requiring bending toward each other in order that the carrier may be inserted into the shell and springing outwardly when the projections upon the assembling plates are in adjustment with said opening in the shell. This shell or socket, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, serves to maintain the coupling'plates in assembly with the end plates.

The invention will be more "fully explained in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side view showing one embodiment of the invention as included in one type of double pole circuit continuing device; Fig. 2 is a sectional view, generally taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, but with a part of the structure shown in iiull elevation; Fig. 8 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, illustrating one type 01": single pole circuit connecting device, this device being shown in circuit closing adjustment; Fig. 4 is a view, generally similar to Fig. 3 but showing the device in circuit opening adjustment; Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line of Fig. 4:; Fig. 6 is a view, partially in elex'a-tion and partially in section, illustrating a single pole circuit continuing device of another type; Fig. 7 is a perspective view, illustrating one of the Serial No. 50,263.

two assembling plates that are, preferably, similarly formed; and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the plates employed in a double pole circuit continuing device, this end plate being shown with two holes therethrough, whereas, in a single pole device, there is but one hole and that is arranged concentrically with the end plate, as illustrated in'Figs. 3, at and 6.

The shell or socket, 1, in each of the con structions illustrated, is formed at one end with bayonet slots or channels, 2, which receive the bayonet pins or projections, 3, pro vided upon contact carriers, in this instance, constituting the bases of incandescent lamps. In the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the bayonet pins, 3, are providedupon the bases, 4, of incandescent lamps, 5, these lamps being double pole lamps, having base contacts, 6 and 7.

In the structure shown in Figs. 3, l, 5 and 6, the bayonet pins, 3, are upon the bases, 8, ol incandescent lamps, 9, these lamps being single pole lamps, having central base contacts, 10. Bayonet slots, 11, are provided at the other endso'f the shells and are adapted to receive bayonet pins.

In Figs. 1 and 2, inclusive, bayonet slots, 11, are adapted to receive bayonet pins, 12,

provided upon circuit connecting plugs, 13,

which are provided with contacts, lt and 15, that constitute these plugs, double pole plugs. I

In the structures shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5,

and 6, the bayonet slots, 11, receive bayonet pins, 16, that are provided upon circuit continuing plugs, 17, these plugs having central or axial contacts, 18, constituting these plugs, single pole plugs.

Each of the plugs adapted for interlocking connection at the slots, 11,.is desirably provided with a surrounding casing, 19, which encloses the adjacent end of the corresponding shell. 1, as well as enclosing the corresponding plug. Thebayonet pins receivablein slots, 11, are desirably carried by the casings, 19, and have sliding connection within the longitudinal channels, 20, formed in said plug-s.

The bayonet slots, 11, are provided with inner seats, 21, and outer seats, 22, that is, these seats are displaced longitudinally of the shells, 1. When the corresponding bayonet pins are received in the seats, 21, the corresponding connecting plugs are in th lr innermost positions to be in circuit closing adjustment, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6, and as will more fully appear. l l hen the the bayonet seats, 22, receive the corresponding bayonet pins, the connecting plugs are in their outermost positions, in which. these plugs are in circuit opening adjustment.

Contact carriers, constructed in accordance with my invention, are contained within the middle portions of the shells, 1. Each of these contact carriers includes end plates, 23 and 2%, which are, preferably, in the form of discs,,and are, desirably, made of insulating material. Each of these end plates is formed with diametrically opposite notches, 25, at its periphery. Diametrlcally opposite metallic spring plates, 26, have end portions, 27, that are separably received in the notches, 25. These spring plates have notches, 28, that separably receive portions of the end plates, that margin the notches, 25. Each end plate is termed with a pin or projection, 29, that is receivable within an opening, 30, in the side of the corres 'ionding shell, 1, this opening, 30, desirably extending entirely through the shell walls.

The end plates, 23 and 2 1, desirably have snug sliding lit with and within the shells, 1, that receive them. The assembling plates, 26, are so positioned as to require them to be bent toward each other in order that the pins or projections, 29, thereon, may be received within the bores of the corresponding shells, 1, these projections, 29, being at the middle of the assembling plates.

In assembling the contact carrier of my invention within the shell that is to-contain the same, the projections, 29, are brought in register with the openings, 30, whereupon, the assei'nbling plates, 26, spring apart to force the projections, 29, into the holes, 30, whereupon, the contact carrier is held in fixed relation with its enclosing shell. The shell, in the preferred form of the invention, serves to hold the assembling plates and the end plates 01 the carrier together.

The contact carriers" in the middle portions of the shells are employed to establish circuit connection between incandescent lamps and the connecting plugs at the ends of the shells, the connecting plugs at the ends of the shells serving, by their inward and outward movements, to close and open lamp circuits. The carrier of my invention, however, is not to be limited to any particular use to which it may be put.

In the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the end plates, 23 and 24, support spring barrels, 31 and 32, that are slidable, therein, and in these barrels are provided plunger contacts, 33 and 3 1, that respectively project from the opposite ends of the interme diate contact carrier.

As illustrated, the lamp base contacts, 6 and 7, are respectively engageable with the bases of the spring barrel, 31, and the projecting ends of the plunger contacts, 34, while the plug contacts,- l and 15, are respectively engageable with the projection end of the plunger contact, 33, and the base of the spring barrel, 32, there being springs, 35 and 36, in the spring barrels, pressing against the bases, thereof, and against the plunger contacts to bring the contacting ends of the spring barrels and the projecting ends oi the plunger contacts into the positions shown, to establish complete circuit connection between the connecting plug and the lamp when the connecting plug is in its imiern'iost position with its bayonet pins, 12, in the bayonet seats 21. When the connecting plug is slightly turned and has its pins, 12, in the bayonet seats, 22, the spring, 35, will force the plunger contact, 33, further outward to maintain the spring barrel, 31, in engagement with the contact, 16, and the pllflilgfl', in engagement with the plug contact, 1 1, whereby, this spring, 35, continues to hold the lamp and connecting plug in lirm assembly with the enclosing shell. I

The spring barrels, 31 and 32, are provided with annular shoulders, 37 and 38, which prevent the sprii'ig barrels and the plunger contacts that are permanently assembled with and within the spring barrels, from (hopping out when the lamp and connecting plug are removed. I

llheshoulder, 38, on spring barrel, 32, is so positioned, that the spring, 36, will only move the spring barrel, 32, a short distance when the connecting plug is being moved to its outermost position, the shoulder, 38, engaging the end plate, 24., before the bayonet pins, 12, reach the seats, 22, whereby, the lamp circuit is opened when the plug is placed in its outermost position.

In the single pole structure shown'in Figs. 3, l and 5 there is single spring barrel, 47, which slides in the end plates, 23 and 24,01 the carrier, this spring barrel havingashoulder, 48, to hold it and the plunger contact, 49, projecting from the spring barrel in assembly with the carrier when the lamp and connecting plug are removed. A spring, 50, places the closed end or the spring barrel against the lamp base contact, 10, and places the plunger contact, 49, against the connecting plug contact 18. The plunger contact, 4-9, is so constructed, that its outward iovement will cease before the connecting plug is moved to its outer position, whereby, the circuit of the lamp is opened, Fig. 1. Another spring, 51, within the spring barrel, 1-7, presses upon an insulating plunger, 52, that projects through the plunger contact, 49, the plunger, 52, maintaining engagement with the contact, 18, whether the connecting plug is in its innermost position or its outermost position, so that when the connecting plug is in its outermost position, this.

lit)

plug and lamp are held in firm assembly with the shell, 1, while the lamp circuit is opened.

In the construction shown in Fig. 6, the spring barrel, 53, is in rigid assembly with the end plates of the carrier and there are two plunger contacts, st and 55, projecting through opposite ends of the spring barrel and respectively engaged with the lamp base contact, 10, and the connecting plug contact, 18.

lhe range of movement of the plunger contacts, 5st and 55, is less than the space between the contacts, and 18, when the connecting plug is in its outer position, whereby, the circuit of the lamp is then opened. A spring, 56, is interposed between both plunger contacts, 54 and 55. for the purpose of spreading them apart to the extent limited by the lamp and connecting plug, when the circuit is closed, and to the extent permitted by the spring barrel, 53, when the connecting plug is in its outermost position to open the lamp circuit. A spring, 57, presses upon an insulating plunger, 58, that projects through the plunger contact, 55, the insulating plunger, 58, remaining constantly in engagement with the contact plug, 18, whether this plug is in its innermost position or its outermost position, so that the lamp and plug are held in firm assembly with the shell, 1, when the circuit is open.

Changes may be made without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention. I claim:

1. A contact carrier including two end plates and a resilient coupling uniting said end plates and carrying an assembling projection for reception within an opening in a carrier receiving shell.

2. A contact carrier including end plates and other plates assembling said end plates, one of said other plates, being of resilient material and one carrying an assembling projection for reception within an opening in a carrier receiving shell.

3. A contact carrier including end plates and other plates assembling the end plates, one of said other plates carrying an assembling projection for reception within an opening in a carrier receiving shell.

i. A contact carrier including two end plates and a coupling separably assembled with and assembling said end plates, in combination with a shell receiving the'carrier, the shell and said coupling having interengaging formations to hold'these two elements in assembly, the shell also engaging the coupling to hold the coupling in assembly with said end plates.

5. A contact carrier including two end plates and two assembling plates, the end plates having notches receiving the assembling plates and the assembling plates having notches receiving the end plates.

6. A contact carrier including two end plates and two assembling plates, the end plates having notches receiving the assembling plates and the assembling plates having notches receiving the end plates, one of the assembling plates carrying an assembling projection for reception within an opening in a carrier receiving shell.

7. A contact carrier including two end plates and two assembling plates, the end plates having notches receiving the assembling plates and the assembling plates having notches receiving the end plates, one of the assembling plates being resilient and carrying an assembling projection for reception within an opening in a carrier receiving shell.

8. A contact carrier including two end plates and two assembling plates, the end plates having notches separably receiving the assembling plates and the assembling plates having notches receiving separably the end plates, in combination with a shell receiving the carrier and holding the end plates and assembling plates together.

9. A contact carrier including two end plates and two assembling plates, the end plates having notches separably receiving the assembling plates and the assembling plates having notches receiving separably the end plates, in combination with a shell receiving the carrier and holding the end plates and assembling plates together, one of the assembling plates carrying an assembling projection for reception within an opening provided in a side of the shell.

10. A contact carrier including two end plates and two assembling plates, the end plates having notches separably receiving the assembling plates and the assembling plates having notches separably receiving the end plates, in combination with a shell receiving the carrier and holding the end plates and assembling plates together, one of the assembling plates being resilient and carrying an assembling projection for reception within an opening provided in a side 01 the shell.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name.

HARRY A. DOUGLAQ. 

